A Gene Constellation in Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses May Have Facilitated the Fifth Wave Outbreak in China

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) 2018-04, Vol.23 (3), p.909-917
• Main Authors: Zhu, Wenfei, Dong, Jie, Zhang, Ye, Yang, Lei, Li, Xiyan, Chen, Tao, Zhao, Xiang, Wei, Hejiang, Bo, Hong, Zeng, Xiaoxu, Huang, Weijuan, Li, Zi, Tang, Jing, Zhou, Jianfang, Gao, Rongbao, Xin, Li, Yang, Jing, Zou, Shumei, Chen, Wenbing, Liu, Jia, Shu, Yuelong, Wang, Dayan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: gene constellation; influenza A (H7N9) viruses; NP gene; PB2 A588V; the fifth wave
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.081

The 2016–2017 epidemic of influenza A (H7N9) virus in China prompted concern that a genetic change may underlie increased virulence. Based on an evolutionary analysis of H7N9 viruses from all five outbreak waves, we find that additional subclades of the H7 and N9 genes have emerged. Our analysis indicates that H7N9 viruses inherited NP genes from co-circulating H7N9 instead of H9N2 viruses. Genotypic diversity among H7N9 viruses increased following wave I, peaked during wave III, and rapidly deceased thereafter with minimal diversity in wave V, suggesting that the viruses entered a relatively stable evolutionary stage. The ZJ11 genotype caused the majority of human infections in wave V. We suggest that the largest outbreak of wave V may be due to a constellation of genes rather than a single mutation. Therefore, continuous surveillance is necessary to minimize the threat of H7N9 viruses. [Display omitted] •H7N9 viruses inherited NP genes from co-circulated H7N9 instead of H9N2 viruses•H7N9 viruses appear to have entered a relatively stable stage•One gene constellation is identified as having emerged in H7N9 viruses•The largest outbreak in wave V may be due to the gene constellation The largest epidemic of influenza A (H7N9), wave V, prompted concerns of a pandemic. Zhu et al. analyze H7N9 viruses from all five waves and argue that the viruses entered a relatively stable stage. One gene constellation that emerged in H7N9 viruses is identified.